The holidays are a time for rejoicing. A time of celebration with one’s family and loved ones. When it comes to driving, however, the holidays can be a time of increased danger. It’s a fact of modern life that most of our relatives are spread throughout the country. In order to spend to the holidays together, we often have to transverse vast distances. This of course means that we have to drive and spend untold hours in our automobiles.
Millions of American families must make treks of hundreds of miles to be reunited with their relatives. As a result, the highways can become clogged with commuters. At the same time, many drivers are fatigued from both hours spent in the car and from some extra celebrating. And if you compound this with some drivers who are feeling the affects of alcohol, you have a dangerous mixture on our nation’s roadways.
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More Drivers, More Accidents
On the Independence Day alone, there are an estimated 41 million cars on America’s highways. The number is even higher for the Thanksgiving weekend. With this increased traffic comes increased chances of collisions and tragically, more driving fatalities. On an average day, 100 Americans lose their lives due to car accidents. These numbers jump by a factor of four to five times on the most dangerous holidays. It’s a matter of arithmetic. More cars equal more accidents.
Drinking And Driving
Sadly, a high number of these driving fatalities are easily preventable. An unfortunate amount of holiday revelers choose to combine alcohol with driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, half of all driving fatalities on New Year’s Eve involve alcohol. An estimated 53% of all 4th of July crashes occur due to drunk driving.
The numbers don’t lie. Alcohol impaired drivers take an already hazardous situation and elevate the danger. There are other factors that contribute to the peril of holiday driving – driver fatigue, icy road conditions of the winter holidays, etc. But these factors pale in comparison to the menace created by drunk drivers.
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The Top 5 Most Dangerous Holidays
Most people would suspect that New Year’s would be the most dangerous holiday of the year. While New Year’s is one of the most difficult days to be driving in the U.S., it is actually not the most dangerous holiday. That dubious honor goes to Thanksgiving. The large amount of commuters, many of whom possibly ate and drank too much, contribute to making Thanksgiving the most perilous holiday for driving.
The five holidays most dangerous holidays, in order of the most driving fatalities, are:
1. Thanksgiving
2. Labor Day
3. Independence Day
4. Memorial Day
5. New Year’s
Stay Safe On The Holidays
While driving hundreds of miles on the holidays may be unavoidable for many Americans, there are ways to decrease the danger. It is wise, if possible, to avoid peak driving times. Try leaving early (for example, one or two days before). And when driving, try to be as relaxed as possible. Too often holiday commuters let their emotions get the best of them. Take a deep breath and avoid making aggressive moves. You are going to get your destination; speeding, tailgating and zipping from lane to the next will not save you time and could lead to tragedy.
Lastly, do not drink and drive. If you plan on doing some celebrating, be sure to make alternative arrangements. If you have to stay an extra night, so be it. It is more prudent to spend an additional night at a hotel than to drink and drive. If you are planning to drive, make sure you stop drinking several hours before departing. This will you give you a chance to completely sober up before getting behind the wheel.
In short, practice good driving habits, take your time, and don’t drink and drive. That way you can make sure your holidays are as safe as possible and ensure that you have many more of them to come to spend with your loved ones.
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